The largest genetic study of Alzheimer's to date has uncovered 42 more genes linked to the development of the disease.
The new evidence has been hailed as crucial pieces to the puzzle to how the disease disrupts the brain's immune system, and can help in early detection.
Around 70,000 New Zealanders suffer from dementia - with Alzheimer's the most common form.
More than 700,000 people from around the world, including in New Zealand, had their genomes analysed in this study, which spanned across three decades.
UK Dementia Research Institute spokesperson Dr Rebecca Sims was a co-lead of the study. She spoke to Corin Dann.
